June 13, 2008
Vanderbilt’s Josie Earnest has been voted the Division I “Player of the Year” by the National Ten Pin Coaches Association, it was announced today. It is believed she is the first female student-athlete in school history to become a national Player of the Year.
The Vandalia, Ill., sophomore was one of four Commodores cited for excellence. Juniors Tara Kane and Michelle Peloquin were third-team selections while classmate Karen Grygiel was named to honorable mention accord.
Earnest led the Black and Gold to the NCAA semifinals with a 205 average in 67 games. Her hallmark is consistency, scoring 200 or more in 81% of her games and placing among the top five in tournaments four times.
“This means a lot to me but with respect to the team and our overall goal, I would give this back if it meant we could win the national championship,” Earnest says.
“I was surprised to find out I had won to be honest. It has been a dream of mine but winning a national award is not necessarily what you think about as a sophomore.”
Earnest’s coach, John Williamson, was not surprised.
“Josie Earnest has earned a lot of respect from coaches, teammates and competitors around the country,” he says. “She has a long history of high level bowling, she is as dedicated to the sport as anyone can be, she is always looking for ways to improve and she is an excellent teammate and representative of Vanderbilt University. We are tremendously proud of her. She earned this.”
Earnest was also named to the five-woman first-team All-America squad while teammates Kane and Peloquin were among the nation’s top 15 honorees with their third team berths.
It is the second straight year that Kane has made the third team. The Greensburg, Pa., product averaged 199 in 57games with four Top 10 finishes in a row and 32 games over 200. She carries an outstanding grade point average in the classroom and has been a frequent member of Vanderbilt’s Dean’s List.
Peloquin was a first-team pick in 2006 and was honorable mention as a sophomore. The Enfield, Ct., native averaged 197 in 66 games with 44 over 200. She tallied five Top 10 finishes in 2008 and is also a consistent member of the academic honor roll.
Grygiel also repeats on the honorable mention team. The Brick, N.J. native averaged 194 over 60 games and won the Hawk Classic during her junior campaign. She is president-elect of Vanderbilt’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
“When you talk about Michelle Peloquin, Tara Kane and Karen Grygiel you are talking about the cornerstone of our entire program,” Williamson says. “They were part of our very first recruiting class. If the true measure of a recruiting class is how it produces three years down the line, this group is just off the charts. They are leaders on the team, they are leaders in the classroom and they are leaders in their community service.”
2008 National Tenpin Coaches’ Association All American Team
First Team
Josie Earnest, So – Vanderbilt University
Vicki Spratford, Sr – New Jersey City University
Cassie Leuthold, So – University of Nebraska
Bryanna Caldwell, Sr – University of Central Missouri
Kristina Frahm, Fr – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Second Team
Lindsey Baker, Sr – University of Nebraska
Sarah Pelletier, Fr – Sacred Heart University
Katie Ann Sopp, Fr – University of Nebraska
Maria Rodriguez, Fr – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Marissa Martinek, So – Arkansas State University
Third Team
Tara Kane, Jr – Vanderbilt University
Erica Perez, So – Fairleigh Dickinson University
Jessica Worsely, Sr – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Michelle Peloquin, Jr – Vanderbilt University
Ashley Blakely, Fr – Jackson State University
Honorable Mention
Karen Grygiel – Vanderbilt University
Jasmine Laugerman – University of Nebraska
Kristina Figueiredo – New Jersey City University
Candice D’Angelo – New Jersey City University
Sara Litteral – Fairleigh Dickinson University
Amanda Lulu – Sacred Heart University
Patricia Dahiroc – Fairleigh Dickinson
Cassandra Shivers – Southern University
Alexandra Stein – Saint Francis College
Anglea Reynolds – Delaware State University
Christine Bator – University of Nebraska
NTCA Division I Player of the Year
Josie Earnest – Vanderbilt University
NTCA Division II Player of the Year
Bryanna Caldwell – University of Central Missouri
NTCA Division III Player of the Year
Vicki Sprattford – New Jersey City University
NTCA Division I Rookie of the Year
Kristina Frahm – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
NTCA Division II Rookie of the Year
Kayla Stamm – Kutztown University
NTCA Division III Rookie of the Year
Bethany Holden – Elmhurst College
NTCA Division I Coach of the Year
Sharon Brummell – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
NTCA Division II Coach of the Year
Ron Holmes – University of Central Missouri
NTCA Division III Coach of the Year
Frank Parisi – New Jersey City University